Pattern-ramming machine for pipe-molding.



I. B. LADD.

PATTERN RAM'MING MACHINE FOR PIPE MOLDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. I91].

; Patented July 9,1918. 4- SHEETS-SHEET 1.

v "I I- I APPLICATION FILED MAR ii 19H Patented July 9, 1918.

4 SHEETS SHEEY 2.

I. B. LADD. PATTERN RAMNHNG MACHINE FOR PIPE MOLDING.

APPLICAHON FILED MAR 6. Hill" SHEET 3.

Patented July 9, 1918.

u 4 SHEETS 6 H w F I. B. LABS.

PATTERN RAMMING MACHINE FOR PIPE MOLDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 6 I917.

4 SHEETS- SHEEI 4.

I II

A. I II I III UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. LADD, F ZPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR To UNITED STATESCAST IRON PIPE AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, A GOR-I'OBATION OF NEW JERSEY.

PATTERN-RAMMING MACHINE FOR PIPEMOLDING.

Application filed March 6, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. LADD, a citi-- zen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of the city and county of Philadelphia, in theState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pattern-Ramming Machines for Pipe-Molding, of which thefollowing is a true and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present invention relates to molding apparatus and comprisesimprovements especially devised and adapted for use in pipe moldingapparatus of the well known type in which the body of a vertical pipemold is formed by drawing up out of the mold a main ramming patterncomprising a stem portion about which the loose mold forming sand ischarged, and a lower body or ramming portion of greater cross sectionalarea than the stem which forces the sand outwardly and compresses itbetween the wall of the flask and the rammin portion of the patternasthe latter is rawn up through the mold flask.

The primary object of the invention is to provide simple and effectivemechanism whereby the main ramming pattern or patterns, and preferablyalso the auxiliary riser pattern or patterns for completing the upperends of the molds may be readily, ac-

curately and expedit manipulated in the mold forming operation properand in operations incidental thereto.

A distinguishing characteristic of my intproved means is the use of ablock and tackle or analogous gear, advantageously actuated by anelectric motor or the like, for simuL 40 taneously applying thenecessary upward pull to the main ramming patterns and an opposingdownward reactive thrust to the flask. l

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention arepointed out with mrtieularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention;however, and of the specific objects attained by it, reference should beh'iid to the :u-rompauying drawings and descriptive matter in which Ihave illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my in vention.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1916 Serial No. 152,578

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the upper part, and Fig. 4 an endelevation of the lower part of the portion of the mechanism shown inFigs. 1 and 2 with some parts shown in section; A

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan of the plant shown in part inFigs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 is an inverted sectional plan taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a partial section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a partial sectional elevation taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5.

In the drawings 1 have illustrated the application of my invention topipe molding apparatus of the type in which a series of vertical pipemold flasks A, shown as double mold flasks are mounted at the peripheryof a turn-table B intermittently rotated to move the flasks successivelyinto and out of a molding station at which the molds are formed by theramming or compressing ac- .tion of the various patterns employed.

Each flask, as shown, is of the twomold type, and the various patternsare in conneoted pairs. A main pattern hoist is employed to lower thetwo main ramming pat terns K down into the flask, and after the flaskhas been charged with sand, to draw these patterns up out of the moldand simultaneously with the latter operation to force a mold engagingelement downward against the mold to apply a downward thrust to theflask substantially balancing the upward pull exerted on the flask bythe rammin atterns K. The mold engaging element carries riser patterns hwhich are forced into, and form the upper portion of the mold on thedownward movement of said. element. Also located at the molding stationis socket pattern forming mechanism P vertically adjustable into and outof operative engagement with a flask at the molding station andcomprising means. for centering the lower ends of the ramming patterns Kpreparatory to the mold charging operation, and for forcing the socketpatterns p into the mold after the latter is ends of the struts' chargedto thereby form the lower end, or

socket portion of the mold.

The molding apparatus disclosed, in its general features to whichreference has just been made forms no part of my invention,

but does contain many novel features disclosed and claimed in theapplication, Serial No. 152,659, of Louis R. Lemoine, filed March 6,1917. My present invention does consist, however, in various specificfeatures of the mechanism by which the main ramming patterns K and theriser patterns it are supported and mani ulated. The socket patternmechanism partially illustrated here in also contains specific featuresof novelty fully disclosed and claimed in my copending applic ration,Serial No. 152,577, filed March The mechanism for manipulating thepatterns K and h is mounted on a superstructure which in the preferredconstruction illustrated, is in the form of a built up crane arm Crotativel mounted at one end on the central column TE of-the turn-table.At its outer end the crane C is supported on a track D concentric withthe column B and lying at an a preciable distancebe and the path of theasks A. The crane is lprovided with wheel C runin on the true D, afid inthe construction s own one of the wheels is geared to a motor E mountedon the crane and employed to give the latter such "ad'ustments about theaxis of the column as may be desired.

Mounted on the crane C are track rails C on which runthe supportingwheels F of -a carriage or-truek F. The truck F is ad-- justed radiallyof the turn-table along the rails C by means of a hydraulic cylinder Gmounted on the crane 'C and having its piston connected by the stem G tothe carriage Mounted on, and forming part of the carriage F, is avertical cage or tower structure a portion of which extends upward abovethe track rails C, while another por- 'tion extends downward between thetrack rails. In the drawings F represents verticalelements and Fhorizontal elements of l fibower structure. I ij Mounted in the towerstructure is a vertically movable mold engaging element H mprising apair of vertical strut members shown as tubular, and u per and lower.tcl osshcad members H and 3 respectively, 5,5 rigidly connected, to theupper and lower The riser patterns it are detachably secured to theunder side of the v crosshead H? by means ofrota'table cl am pin Idevices H. The mold engaging element is guided in its vertical movementsby means of guide clips F" secured to the tower structure andengagingribs H on the strut members H as is shown best in Fig. 6. The.:,crosshea l H is also formed with guide ribs H. which work betweenguides F forming a part of the tower structure (see Figs. 2 and 3). Theelement H is connected to the 11 per end 01 the tower structure by means0? hydraulic cylinders H secured to the element H, and the pistons Iworking in these cylinders. As'shown, the cylinders H are forconvenience, mounted within the u per ends of the tubular struts H, andthe ho low stems I of the pistons I are pivotally connected by trunnionson the crossheads I at their upper ends to the beams F carried at thetop of the tower. The admission pressure fluid to, and its exhaust fromhr upper ends of the cylinder H, is controlled by a two-way valve Hmounted on the carria e F and connected to a supply pipe H an an exhaustpipe H and also connected by piping H to the cylinders H through thehollow piston stems I. In one of its two cooperative positions the valveH connects the cylinders H to the supply pipe H", and in the other itconnects them to the exhaust pipe H. The operating stem H of the valve H(see Fig. 3) is connected to the arm of a rock-shaft H which may benormally rotated through either of two de pending levers H, one at eachside ofthe crane C, and may also be operated automatically by meanshereinafter described. Mounted on the upper crosshead H is a piilleyblock H comprising pulley wheels turning about a horizontal axis, therebeing two of these wheels in the construction illustrated.

Working in guided relation with the mold engaging element H is a mainpattern element comprising a crosshead J and the main ramming patterns Kwhich are detachably secured at their upper ends to said crosshead. Asshown, the crosshead J is formed with vertical guide ways J whichreceive the vertical guide ribs H formed on the adjacent sides of thetwo struts H. In the construction shown, the crosshead J is formed withsockets to receive the tapered upper ends K of the patterns K which aresecured in place by nuts K on the reduced threaded upper ends of thepatterns. The patterns- K may well be, and are shown as gang of the typedisclosed and claimed in the patent granted September 2, 1913, toRoswell G. Jaines, No. 1,072,235. The riser patterns fit snugly aboutthe longitudinal ribs K formed on thccsmull diameter portion of thepattern 1C so that the main patterns K are guided by the riser patternsin the )attern ramming operation.

ounted on the crosshead J is a pulley block J comprising as shown, twopulley wheels J. The pulley blocks and J mounted on the flaskengagingframe H and on the crosshead J respectively, form part of a block andtackle connection of which a ire cable L, or other suitable flexiblepower transmitting element is the fall. In the conmount Thevariouscontrollers which need to be G to be located at either molding station,

it necessary for the controller, (not to support. the main rammer andriser pat terns not in use. As shown in Fig. 8, these stools or supportscomprise open frames through which the bodies of the ramming patternsare lowered, the patterns being supported by the engagement with theframes of the ask engaging flanges or follower plate It connected to theriser patterns It. The enlarged heads K at the upper ends of. the mainramming patterns K engage the riser patterns it and prevent the rammingpatterns K from passing completely down through the riser patterns.

In the normal operation of the apparatus disclosed, the crane C and thecarriage l thereon, with the proper riser and main ramming patterns hand K in place, are adjusted to bring the patterns into the properposition, at one or the other molding station. in which these patternsare in substantial aline ment with the corresponding socket patterns p.The turn-table B is then adjusted to bring a flask A into register withthe patterns, after which the winding drum M is manipulated to lower theramming patterns K into place in the flask, and the corresponding socketpattern mechanism is brought into operative relation with the lower endof the flask. The lower ends of the ramming patterns K then pass downinto, and are centered by the socket patterns 7). The next at onestation while the molding operation step in the operation is to chargethe flasks is going on at the other station. At each with sand whichloosely fills the space in station there is located a controller n forthe the flasks surrounding the ramming patterns. Winding drum motor Nand a controller Z Suitable sand conveyer mechanism not illusfor themotor B by which the turn-table B trated will ordinarily be employed tofaciliis intermittently rotated. At each molding tate the charging ofthe flasks.

station are also located controller levers 79' During the initialoperations already doand controlling the adjustment and opscribed, themold engaging clement H is eration of the corresponding socket patternmaintained in the elevated position shown mechanism P. With the carriageF in poin Figs. 1 and 2 by the pressure fluid adsition for operation'ateither station one or mitted to the cylinders H, and acting bethe otherof operating levers H for the tween the upper end walls thereof and thevalve H will be within convenient reach of upper sides of the pistons I.I prefer. also the operator manipulating the other controlto maintainpressure in the cylinders H lers ust referred to located at thatstation. during the movementof the mold engaging element into engagementwith the mold and the initial portion of the main pattern rammingoperation. This movementand operation is brought about by starting the'motor N into operation to wind up on the drum M, the running end of thefall L which forms a part of the block and tackle connection between themain ramming patterns K and the mold engaging elcuu-ut ll. This tends todraw the mold engaging element downward and the main rammin i patternsupward. The parts are prefer: lily so proportioned that with the normalpressure at whichthe pressure fluid is supplied to the cylinders H, thenormal resistancc'to the upward movemert tof the patterns K through thend is largely in cxcessof the resistance to the full downward movementof the mold engaging element. The riser struction shown, the standingend of the fall L is connected to the upper end of the tower structureof the carriage F at L, and the fall runs from the point- L down aroundone of the pulleys J a then up over one of the pulleys H, then downaround the second pulley J, then up to and over the second pulley'H andthence the runnin endlof the fall passes to a horizontal winding drum M.The latter is 'ournaled on the carriage F, and is driven t roughsuitable speed reducing 'earing' by the electric motor N also on thecarriii e. At M I have conventionally illustrat a brake mechanism whichmay be employed asis usual with winding drums of this character, todirectly control the movements of the winding drum.

In the preferred plant arrangement shown in Fig. 5, there are twomoldingstations proper at each of which thereiis located a socket patternramming mechanism collecindicated herein by the reference symand whichmay well be, and in so far as it is herein shown, is of the type fullydisclosed in my said copending ap lication, Serial No. 152,577. Theprincipal purpose of duplicating the molding stations is to avoid lossof time in changing the socket patterns in changing from one style orsize of mold to another. With this arran ment the socket patternmechanism can be cfi nged manipulated in the molding operationsperformed at .either station are thus conveniently disposed within thecontrol of a single attendant at a single convenient place adjacent themoldin stations. The controller 6 for the crane adjusting motor 1*) islocated at a convenient spot which need not lie/ecssarily be at eithermolding station. Neither shown) for the carriage adjusting cylindersince neither the crane C nor the carriage F ordinarily need to beadjusted after being put in the proper position for operating at onemolding station until it is desired to in terrupt operation at thatmolding station.

Advantageou'sly stools or supports Q, are arranged at one side of themolding stations atterns h are consequently forced down into the moldthe full depth, and the flange plate It brou ht into en agement with theupper end of t 1e flask, be ore the mam ram ming' patterns K start tomove upward. After the mold engagin element is thus seated on the flaskan further relative movement between these parts is thus prevented, themain rammin patterns K begin to move upward and t 1e upward movement ofthe main ramming patterns is continued until they are drawn clear of themold. After the mold engaging element is firmly seated on the flask, andthe main patterns are started on their upward movement, the pressure inthe cylinders H is preferably released to insure that when the patternsK approach the u ward limit of their movement and the resistance totheir' movement decreases, there will be no tendency for the mold engaing element H to lift. After the patterns I are entirely withdrawn fromthe molds the pressure fluid is again admitted to the cylinders Hwhereupon the mold engaging element H and the riser patterns it carriedby it are lifted clear of the flask. Prior to, or durin the initialportion of the operation of rawing the main patterns K out of the molds,the socket patterns p in use are forced up by the corresponding socketpattern mechanism P to form the lower portion of the mold. After this isaccomplished and the lower ends of the main patterns K have moved out ofenagement with the socket patterns 1:) the atter may be retracted andthe socket pattern mechanism P may be moved out of operative relationwith the flask, so that when the main patterns K and the riser patternspattern puller is sub'ected to the reaction of the mold mater al beingcompacted therein. 4

In lieu of controlling the maintenance of the sustainin force thusexerted by the cylinders H an pistons I by the manual actuation of thelevers H, this may be bron ht about automatically, as has been hereinefore indicated. -One arrangement for accomplishing this is illustratedin the drawings and comprises a pair of levers H and 'H, pivotallyconnected to the frame-work F', at lower and upper levels respectively.

portioning the parts and in These levers have their outer ends connectedby links H and H. respectively to the op osite ends of a lever H,connected to an extending in opposite directions from the rock-shaft H.

A trip J is pivoted at J to the cross- ;head J, and is prevented fromturning downout of the mo (1. When the trip J engages the lever H itshifts the latter, (and also lever H) from the full to the dotted lineposition of Fi 3. This adjusts the stem H of valve I to connect theupper ends of cylinders H to exhaust and thereby does away with thenormal sustaining force exerted by the cylinders H and the pistons I. Asthe crosshead J continuing its upward movement approaches its uppermostposition the trip J engages the lever H and shifts it back into its fullline position and thereby adjusts the stem H of valve H to restoreressure in the upper ends of the cylinders E. On the subsequent downwardmovement of the crosshead J the trip J 25 moves idl past the levers Hand H With the apparatus described it will be apparent that accuratealinement of the main patterns K is preserved throughout the patternramming operation proper in-;

asmuch' as the patterns travel in guides held in rigid engagement withthe flask in which the mold is being formed. ward pull exerted on theflask through the sand by the resistance of the latter to the movementof the patterns K, which amounts to many tons in some cases, issubstantially balanced by the downward thrust imparted to the flask bythe mold engaging element H indirectly through the riser patterns It andthe sand, and dlrectly through the flask engaging flange plate h. Bysuitably proarticular, by increasing the number of pufiey wheels in thealley blocks H and J of the block and tack e eonnection,-the o positethrusts exerted on the flask ma he brought into almost mathematical baanoe but such refinement 1S 1n general unnecessary. To securesatisfactory results it is in general only es-' sential to insure thatthe upward pull on the flask due to the upward movement of the (patternsK does not exceed the downwar thrust which the mold engaging element Hsimultaneously exerts on the flask by an amount as large as the weightof the flask and the sand contained therein.

The ap aratus disclosed is obviously adapted to speedy manipulation bothin the mold forming operation proper and in the at w The up ainterchange of pattern necessary in changing from one style or size ofpipe mold to another, To effect this change the crane (l and carriage Fare adjusted to bring the patterns K and It supported thereby over anempty steel frame Q whereupon the patterns are dropped into engagementwith the latter and are-then disconnected therefrom. The crane C is thenadjusted to'bring the carriage F over the steel frame Q, inlwhich areheld the patterns K and h next tobe used, and the'latter are thenconnected to' sary headroom above the flask level is re;

duced to a practical minimum, and the use of the block and tackleconnection and the motor driven winding drum M contributes to a maximumspeed of operation and mini- 1nizes the cost of operation.

\Vhile in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I'- haveillustrated and described the best form of my invention now known to me,it will be apparent to those skilled iii the art that changes can bemade in the form of my invention without departing from its spirit, andthat some features of my invention may be used without a correspondinguse of other features'of the invention.

Having now described my invention, What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprisin in combination a support, vertically movab e patternand mold engaging ele.

ments .carried by said support, and a block and tackle connectionbetween said elements for simultaneously applying an upwardly actingforce to said attern element and a downwardly acting orce to said moldengaging" element. I

2. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe 1nold comprising in combination a support, vertically movablepattern and mold cngagin clementsicarried by said support, a bloc andtackle connection between said elements for simultaneously applying anupwardly act ing force to said pattern element and, a downwardly actingforce to said mold en- 'Inovable pattern and mol gaging element, andmeans for adjustin said mold engaging element relative to said support.

3. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination a support, vertically movablepattern and mold engaging elements carried by said support, a block andtackle connection between said elements for simultaneously applying anupwardly acting force to said pattern element and a downwardly actingforce to said mold enga ing element, "and a yielding vertically adtistable connection between said'mold engaging element and said support.a

4. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination a support, vertically movablepattern and mold engaging elements in guided relation with said support,a block and tackle connection between said elements for simultaneouslyapplying an upwardly acting force to said pattern element and adownwardly acting force to said mold engaging element, and fluidpressure adjusting means connecting said mold engaging element and saidsupport and comprising coiiperating piston and cylinder elementsrelatively movable in a vertical direction.

5. A patternhoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination a support, vertically movablepattern and 'mold engaging elements in guided relation with saidsupport, and a block and tackle connection between said elements forsimultaneously applying an upwardly acting force to said attern elementand a downwardly acting orce to said mold engagin element, saidconnection comprising a all having its standing end connected to saidsupport.

6. A pattern hoist for pullinga ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold com prising in combination a su port, vertically engagingelements in guided relation with said support, a block and tackleconnection between saidelements for simultaneously applying an upwardlyacting force to said attern element and a downwardly acting orce to saidmold enga ing element, said connection comprising a %all having itsstanding GIIduCOII- nccted to said su port and means mounted on said suport or applying a pull to the running on of said fall.

7. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe moldcomprising in combination a support, vertically movable patternand mold engaging elements in guided relation with. said support,

a block and tackle connection hetweefi said elements for simultaneouslyapplying an upand a downwardly acting force to said mold engagingelement, said connection comprising a fa 1 having its standing endconnected to said support and. means for adjusting said mold engagingclement relative to said sup port.

8. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination a su port, vertically movablepattern and mo] engaging elements in guided relation with said support,a block and tackle connection between said elements for simultaneouslyapplying an upwardly acting force to said attern ele ment and adownwardly actin orce to said mold engaging element, said connectioncomprising a fall having its standing end connected to said support anda yielding vertically adjustable connection between said mold engagingelement and said support.

pattern up out of a vertical pipe mold comprising in combination asupport, a vertically movable mold engaging element mounted in saidsupport and comprising vertical members, a pattern secured to the lowerends of said members, a pattern element comprising a verticallyvmovablecrosshead incguided relation with said members, a -main ramming patternin guided relation with the first mentioned pattern, and a block andtackle connection between said crosshead and the upper ends of saidmembers for simultaneous y applying an upwardly acting force to saiddownwardly acting gaging element.

10. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination, a support, a vertically movablemold engaging element mounted in said support in guided relationtherewith and comprising vertical members, a pattern secured to thelower ends of said membersg pattern engaging element com- ,p risinayertically movable crosshead in guid relation with said members, a mainramming pattern in guided relation with the 'first ment1oned pattern andmeans for simultaneou'sly applying an upwardly acting forceto saidpattern element and a downwardly acting force to said mold engagingelement.

11. A pattern hoistfor pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination a support, a vertioally ovable moldengaging element mounted in said supportand comprising upper and lowercrossheads, and tubular connectattern element and a ing struts, anadjustable connection between said element and support comprising pistonchambers located in the upper ends of said tubular struts and pistonsworking therein and connected to said support, a pattern ele- 9.A'pattern hoist for pulling a ramming orce to said mold en nientcomprising a. crosshead in guided relation with said struts and aramming pattern secured to said crosshead, and a block and tackleconnection between the upper crosshead of said mold engaging element andthe crosshead of said pattern element.

I 12. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalpipe mold comprising in combination, a support, a vertically movablemold engaging element mounted in said sup ort and comprising upper andlower'cross leads and connecting struts,- the latter being in guidedrelation with said support, a pattern secured to the lower cross head ofsaid element, a pattern engaging element comprising a vertically movablecrosshead in guided relation with said struts and a main ramming patternin guided relation with the first mentioned pattern, and a block andtackle connection between said elements comprising a pulley blockmounted on the upper crosshead of the mold engaging ele ment and apulley block mounted on the crosshead of the pattern element.

13. A pattern hoist for pulling a ramming pattern up out of a verticalp'ipe mold comprising in combination, a suppl .t, a vertically movablemold engaging element mounted in said support and comprising upper andlower crossheads and w nnecting struts, the latter being in guidedrelation with said support, a riser pattern secured to the lowercrosshead of said element, a pattern engaging element comprising avertically movable crosshead in guided relation with said struts, and amain ramming pattern passing through and guided by 'said riser pat in,and a block and tackle connection between said elements comprising apulley block mounted on the upper crosshead of the mold engagingelement, a pulley block mounted on the crosshead of the pattern elementand a fall the standing end of which is connected to said support.

14. In pipe moldin apparatus the combination with a vertica flask andits supporting means, of a support extending over the flask, a carriagemounted on and horizontally movable with respect to said support,

vertically movable mold engaging and pat tern elements in guidedrelation with one another and said carriage, a rotatable IIIOlZOl"mounted on said carriage and power transmitting connections between saidmotor and said elements for simultaneously applying oppositely actingforces to said elements.

15. In pipe molding apparatus the combination with a vertical flask andits supporting means, of a support extending over the flask, a carriagemounted on and horizontally adjustable with respect to said support,vertically movable mold engaging and pat tern elements in guidedrelation with said carriage, a motor mounted on said carriage, and ablock and tackle connection between said elements comprising a fall lhcrunning end of which is opcratively connected to said motor.

16. In pipe molding apparatus the combination with a vertical flask andits supporting means, of a support extending over the flask, a carriagemounted on and horizontally adjustable with respect to said support,vertically movable mold engaging and 'pattern elements in guidedrelation with said carriage, a. motor mounted on said carriage, and ablock and tackle connection between said elements comprising a fall therunning end of which is operatively connected to said motor and thestanding end of which is con- IiEClLt d 0 said carriage.

17. in pipe molding apparatus the combination with a. vertical flask andits supporting means, of a'support extending over the flask, a carriagemounted on and horizon tally ustalile with respect to said. support,vertically movable mold engaging and pattern elements in guided relationwith said carriage, a motor mounted on sa id carriage, a block and tacklconnection between said elements comprising a fall the running end ofwhich is operatively connected to said motor and means for adjustingsaid moid engaging element relative to said carriage.

18. In a pipe molding plant the combination with a turn table and aseries of vertical flasks carried thereby, of an idle pattern supportlocated adjacent said turn table, a crane arm mounted above the flasksto turn about the turn table axis and a pattern hioist mounted on saidcrane arm with freedom for adjustment from one position in which itextends over the pathof the flasks into another position in which itextends over said pattern support. and a. pair of optionally usablesocket pattern mechanisms into oooperative relation with each of whichsaid hoist may be brought.

19. In pipe molding apparatus the combination with a turn-table and aseries of vertical flasks carried thereby, of an idle pattern supportlocated adjacent said turntable, a crane arm mounted above the flasks toturn about the turn-table axis, and a pattern hoist mounted on saidcrane arm'with freedom for ad uStmcnt from one DOSltlOn in which itextends over the path of the flasks into another position in which itextends over said pattern support.

20. In pipe moldin apparatus the combination with a turn-ta lo and aseries of vertical flasks carried thereby of a crane arm mounted abovethe flasks to turn about the turn-tahle axis and a pattern hoist mountedon said crane arm with-freedom for adjustmeat from one position in whichit extends over the path of the flasks into another posi lion in whichit lies beyond the path of the flasks.

21. Molding appa 'atus comprising in combination a support, a moldforming de vice comprising two cooperative vertically movable elements,means for impressing an upwardly acting force on one of said elementsand a. reacthfe downwardly acting force on the other of said elements,and a yielding supporting connection between the last nn-ntioned elementand said support.

22. Molding apparatus omprising in combination a support. a mold formingdevice comprising two cooperative vertically movable elements, means forimpressing an upwardly acting force on one of said elements and areactive downwardly acting force on the other of said elements and aconnection between the last mentioned ele ment and said support,normally exerting a yielding supporting force on said element and meansfor varying said force, and a piston and cylinder supporting connectionlNJtWQOlI said support and said last mentioned elenicnt and means formaintaining and for varying an elastic fluid pressure therein.

23. Molding apparatus comprising in combination a support, a moldforming de vice comprising two cooperative vertically movable elements,means for impressing an upwardly acting force on one of said ele mentsand a reactive downwardly acting force on the other of said elements, apiston and cylinder supporting connection between said support and saidlast mentioned element and means for maintaining and for varying anelastic fluid pressure therein.

JAMES B. LADD.

